SPELLING TIME JOURNAL from The Thinking Tree!

     I wanted to do a little spotlight on the Spelling Time Journal from Sarah Brown.  It's a "sister" product to her Do It Yourself Homeschool Journals.  This fun spelling book will help your kids master the top 150 misspelled words while enjoying it!

     The book presents the words in a fun, creative process:
1) color
2)find the missing
3)add the missing
4) read and write (in various orders).

  The whole concept behind it is that you will activate the creative, imaginative side of the brain to help your brain connect the letters into words in a fun way that will "stick".
      I have asked my kids if it helps and one of my daughters told me that she "often see's the different colors she used on a word" as she uses them in other places.  This HELPS her REMEBER how things are spelled!
     Many of the pages of small "logic" games at the top of the page to get your brain activated and to help with retention, letter formation and focus.
     Another great thing is that your child will no be bogged down by writing words over, and over, and over again! Instead they get to "play around" with the words through the creative way inwhich this spelling book works.

     I am using this book with most of my older kids; 4 of them ages 11-14 1/2.  My 4 younger boys are using the younger kids spelling book.  (I will blog about that later).  My 16 year old doing college work.
     I felt like my older kids could use the review and my middle kids definitely needed it! I thought they all would enjoy a different pace with spelling.  They can not believe how "low key", "non-stress-full" and "easy" it is.
     It is wonderful hearing no murmurings or complaining when it comes to spelling.  No one tries to avoid it .  It's a gentle process and it is working!

Mid-year perspective!

     The holidays are over and first semesters is coming to an end!  It is time for the ever needed (and sometimes dreaded) mid-year perspective!  Let's face it friends!  a lot of things can happen in a semester!  So, now is the time to see what has been accomplished, what's  working, what's not working, and how to tackle the second leg of this school year!

FIRST, CURRICULUM.
     I always gather up our curric and take assessment of what is working and what is not.  Making sure everything is still working for us as a whole and as individuals is important.  If you decide that you need to remove some things- do that now.  No need continuing something that either is not right ever or not right right now.  Just put that stuff to the side and deal with it this summer.
     It's okay if things aren't working.  Do not feel guilty!  Do not stress out!  Do not keep using things that are not working just because of money!!!  There are ALWAYS OTHER OPTIONS.  You may need to look online and use a free program.  Or maybe just create your own homeschooling learning journals.  Or maybe you need to purchase other stuff.  Just don't keep torturing yourself or your children if curriculum you are currently using isn't working.

WHERE ARE WE AT?
     Now, figure out where you/child are at in the curriculum you have.  I usually look at when I want to more or less be done with school (end of May) and I count up how many school days are left and divide the amount of schoolwork still needing to be done into that.
     For instance.  The older kids' language arts through Queen Homeschool has 180 lessons for 180 days of school.  So I figure that we have about 100 days of school left (that put us mid May- we usually wrap up sooner and do a research project in May).  CH11 is on lesson 114 in her LA book.  So I minus 113 done lessons from 180 lessons and get 67.  That is how many language arts lessons she still needs to do and she has 100 days to do it in.  Perfect!  She will be done ahead of time and have more time to work on her research project!
     Sometimes we tally in ahead on things and sometimes we are behind on things.  Figuring out where you are at allows you the time to make adjustments.  Sometimes you need to do some combining.
     Let's say in history you are 8 lessons behind.  Look and see if there are either some lessons you can skip or maybe some you can combine.  Two years ago we were sooooooo sick in November, December and January.  Needless to say, when I did my Mid-Year check up, we were quite behind.  I was able to combine many history lessons by finding documentaries that covered several history lessons at a time.  We drank tea, blew our noses and watched documentaries.
     Give yourself freedom to lighten up.  It really is okay if you spend a month watching doco's while sick and not doing any writing assignments.  Who has the energy for that!  Let everyone get better and tap into more creative things.  Let them make a lego movie, or color pictures or print off some "color your own artwork" from famous paintings off line.  It really is okay to not do what the assignment is and instead make your own.

DO YOU NEED SOMETHING ELSE?
     I've had to ask myself that question concerning my my son A10 throughout the years.  He was a very reluctant reader, all boy, and really not ready for "school-school" until this year.  I REALLY WISH I had just relaxed and left him alone.  Actually I wish I had found the do it yourself homeschool journals much sooner because I would have just had him do those... and that's it!... well and math- I'd have had him do that.  
     Anyway, search the internet, read some blogs, talk to friends and see if you need to switch gears and use something different for your homeschooling.

DO YOUR EXPECTATIONS NEED ADJUSTMENT?
     Let's face it!  Life happens!  Maybe you got pregnant.  Maybe you had a baby.  Maybe there was some series family thing that came up.  Maybe you moved.  Maybe you are preparing to move.  Maybe...maybe...maybe...  Things happen and it's perfectly acceptable to redefine your goals for the year and make adjustments.

GET ORGANIZED.
     It's easy for everything to get out of control over the holidays so- clean up, and get things back in

I used these when I was only schooling
4 kiddos.  Kids rolled them around the house
to where-ever they/we were doing school

their place.  If your system isn't working, come up with a new one!  Don't have a school room- don't worry about it!  I used to think I needed a whole room and a white board and... stuff.  GAH!  Stuff makes my head hurt.  I want to put it all away and just have a home at the end of the day. School happens all over the house so the lack there-of  of a school room won't harm you.  For a long time I had those three drawer plastic tote things on rollers from walmart for each kid.  The top drawer help that childs stuff like pencil box, scissors, rulers, ect,  The other drawers held their workbooks.

New system!

 Eventually that was not practical.  Now they each have a box that their stuff goes into and they keep them on a shelf.  The new system only holds their book stuff.  Things like pencils, scissors, rulers, etc, go in general bins elsewhere.   My point... Work with what you have and be happy with what you got!

Drinking my favorite tea!  Lavender Milk Tea!

RELAX!
     That's really all I do.  Purge. Calculate.  Organize.  Relax.  At the end of the day.  You need to give your self credit for a job well done.  Even if first semester didn't go as planned, it doesn't mean the year is a bust!  You have a new plan in hand, things are ready to move forward and you can relax before hitting this next semester!

EBOOK: "Homespun Holidays: Fall and Winter" Review

     With Fall and Winter holidays here and ideas waning for creative ways to keep the Natives from getting restless, I was excited to be able to use and review the ebook "Homespun Holidays: Fall and Winter" from The Old Schoolhouse Magazine.
     This book has over 80 pages full of recipes, craft ideas, creative writings and family fun to help ease you into the holidays and keep your family connecting throughout the busyness.

Gingerbread Pancakes!

This creative E-Book is sure to inspire you from cover to cover, with the click of your mouse.  It has:

•  Tradition building activities to connect you to each other and the Lord throughout the holidays.  
• Decorating tips, tricks and ideas.
• Party and Event hosting.
• Book reviews and Holiday writings
• Crafts, gifts and ornaments!
• Jesse Tree instructions

     One of the things I like the most is that everything is "normal stuff".  Does that make sense?  I do not need to go find some weird food ingredient I have never heard of, or buy art supplies that cost me a fortune.  Everything is normal, comfortable, frugal and fun!  I LOVED that as I flipped through it I saw many things that older kids could do with younger kids too!  Not everything is "Mom needed" and that gives the older kids something to "take ownership of" and do with younger siblings!  Perfect!

Here are some of the things we really liked (but there is wayyyyyy more stuff than what is listed).  Some we tried this year, some are being pegged for next year.

Caramel Popcorn!

Fun things to eat:

• Texas Tortilla Soup
• Autumn Soup
• Brown sugar Squares
• Ginnys's apple-pear-raisin pie
• Gingerbread pancakes
• Caramel Corn
• Celebration English Toffee
• Chocolate Chip cookie dough dip

*Bonus!  Recipes are printable!

Fun things to make:

• Scarecrow Welcome Sign
• I'm Thankful for YOU: treat bag
• Painted Windows
• Trashbag Wreath
• Handmade Nativity
• Jesse Tree
• Holiday Pinatas

"Trash Bag Wreath"

Fun things to read and/or do:

Thankful Bulletin Board

Thanksgiving ABC's

List of "Fun Thanksgiving Books"

The 8,000 Calorie Poem

Christmas Reason

T'was the night before open house (doing a holiday party)

The Shepherds Supper

making our trash bag wreath

     I love that there is a wide variety of things in one spot!  As the holiday "doll-drums" set in, I can pursue this book, find something fun to do/make/bake and become the hero of the afternoon!  
     My kids enjoyed it too!  The caramel corn was super yummy; we added that to our "tree decorating night" tradition.  
     My older girls have been busy baking and trying different recipes and we all have been participating in the sweet and savory rewards of their efforts.  
     My little guys especially liked the "Trash Bag Wreath"... so did my olders.  They did most of the work.  It was fun listening to them cut, tie and talk about the funny Christmas movies we've been watching! 
  

     NOTE:  On the Wreaths: We totally just used "walmart bags" and it turned out great!

Wreath Queen

     We found this little gem of a book a little late for thanksgiving but have our list ready for the next Holiday Season!  I personally am really looking forward to the "I'm Thankful for you: treat bag".  I love when there are things we find to help us foster gratitude in our children and encourage their little hearts.  This will be PERFECT to do just that!  

     This book would go well with anyone wanting to take a break from normal school stuff but not totally ditch school altogether.  The book list and craft ideas are perfect for tying the holidays into learning in a low key way!

     If you do not have time to pinterest and would like a "Holiday go-to" then I think you would enjoy this book.  There is just enough in it that you have variety but not so much that you are overwhelmed and overloaded.

I reviewed this product for the "Old School House Magazine: Review Crew".  Find other fun things in The School House Shop!

VOTE FOR MY GIRLIES

2 of my girls entered a poetry contest!  The poems with the MOST LIKES gets the prize!  Will you please vote by "liking" their poems! 

CLICK HERE TO:  VOTE VOTE VOTE

The names of our poems are:

BEING AWKWARD IS FUN!!!

THE MONSTER

Happiness Village

GRATEFUL (say in one breath)

Fairy Tale Land

The Jester

Falling in LOVE with the HOMESCHOOL JOURNALS

     So, I am kinda in love with these things.  I have a definite issue.  It doesn't help that everytime I think, "Ooh, The Thinking Tree should do this!", I literally wake up that next day and there is a post on their facebook page that they have done just that!
     I have also been immensely blessed by seeing how my growing knowledge of these books have blessed and encouraged other as well.
(for more reviews of books individually, click here)

How I began

     I started off by giving every kid a journal based on which ones I thought would be right.  I almost nailed it!  I had two switcher-oo's I had to do but that's it.  Everyone is happy.  I told me kids that we would be using them as a supplement to everything else we are doing and to try and do a little each day as time allows.  This has worked well.  We went to the library, everyone picked a hoard of books and we toted it all home.

CH10 (almost 11) working in her Creative Girls Journal
at the library.  Her favorite colored pencils to use
are the prisma color art pencils!

I am amazed daily at how much my kids are loving this and are enjoying their learning.  They are all pulling their journals out on their own.  It's a very happy thing for them to do.

Working in his Eclectic Learner
journal at the library.

fun schooling spelling journal

      I have entered into their learning as they invite me to color with them and we talk about the things they did and learned that day.  We just relax together and color.  Sounds kinda lame, and silly, but oooh how we are enjoying it!!  Even my older boys, 12 and almost 14, will play down the coloring but then there they are with their books open saying "Hey Mom, you can color this part with me if you like".  I should get a picture because it's quite comical looking with me and at least 6 or 7 kids sprawled out on the floor and I am making sure I color a bit in everyones journal!
      These journals are sooooo much more than coloring though!!!!!  It's a place were each child can track their own learning journey: the books they like, the subjects they are into, the stuff that jumps out to them!  The pages (in no particular order) consist of things like:

• date/calendar
• reading
• color page
• nature drawing
• book review
• logic games
• math practice
• picture studies
• emotions
• copywork
• things that inspire you
• film reviews
• geography
• news and events
• draw anything

     There is enough variety that the learning stays fun and stress-free.  No matter if you use them as the spine of your curriculum or as a supplement, the learning is happening the whole time!

Picking Journals

     This has been a little confusing for me BUT you can not really mess up.  The journals (unless listed otherwise) are for students 2nd grade on up, who have a good handle of reading and writing on their own (even if the spelling and hand writing is not good).  The coloring pages, pictures, writing prompts, and logic games vary a little from book to book, but are more or less the same.

D6 (almost 7) and J8 got the same journals
"1st,2nd, and 3rd grade fun schooling".  They sure think it's fun!

    The instructions are all very short, sweet and to the point.  Options are there to EITHER draw or write, on most things. And most of the writing things are small enough or arranged creatively enough that it doesn't seem like a lot.  So things are easy and varied but not so different that most of the books are fairly interchangeable.

     Everything I have read from the author and other bloggers is to "pick the cover you like", HOWEVER some of the journals have some very specific "labels" on them and this confused me.  It was unclear if they were all the same format with different labels or different formats and labels didn't matter or, something else?  Scratch head.......  (move on to the next section now)

Some journals are "labeled" specifically

     Some of the journals are labeled "asperger/adhd/dyslexic/christian/unschooling/etc" and it can be hard to know what to get when looking at all the labels.   MOST of the journals are designed for everyone, but different labels are used just for marketing, such as "eclectic/creative/unschooling/etc".       That is why you can just pick out the artwork on the cover you like and go with it!  Others though are not as broad, such as the "aspergers" or the "dyslexic" journals.  They have some very specific

A10 using the "eclectic journal".
Reading and writing have not come
easily to him.  He loves the drawing
option and has taken the initiative
to do more writing on his own!

differences in them in order to work best with children who have those unique things going on.  Now, this doesn't mean that you can not use them with kids who don't travel that specific path.  In fact, I have found all the dyslexia stuff to be super helpful with my non dyslexic children!  It's just good to know in light of the whole "pick out the cover you like best" advice.

     Here are some of the differences in the journals:

• Asperger journal: incorporates facial expression evaluating pages, and a focus on inventions and interesting objects.
• ADHD journal: has a focus on neatness, fonts and professions.
• Younger Aged journals: these are all marked.  Usuallu by age like "4-7" or grade "1st-3rd".
• Christian journals: will have verses and pictures that will reflect the Christian Faith.
  
• "Seasonal Themed" journals: the art work and prompts go along with the season.
• Secular/in general/multi marketing labeled: these would include the rest ;)  Their labels would include things such as "Charlotte Mason", "un-schooling", "creative girls", "adventurous boys", etc.  These journals really have no major differences or "focus".  There are differences of course but they fall under the broader things and you really can just pick a cover you like.  (the seasonal ones could have been placed here too)

H14 loves her "Spring" journal

 So, I guess, when picking out journals, pick the covers you like!  Just know if your child likes the cover on the "Asperger" journal, it will be a little different than if they had picked the "eclectic" one! Eventually I will do a post on which ones I think are better for older or younger kids as there are some differences in the pictures and some do present more "older/younger".  For the most part though, there are not too many differences to make it that big of a deal.
Also, the author just came out with some "grade specific" journals.  I do not have those yet and do not know how they compare.  Eventually I will have them and I will tell you all about them.

Another blogger has a great post breaking them down more.  I thought I would link her up here.  =)

Other journals  from The Thinking Tree

     I have had the privilege of being able to get my hands on MANY of The Thinking Tree products.  Like anything in life, something you love and some things you can leave, and that list will be different depending on who you are asking!

     Overall, I am pretty much in love with everything!  Some of my favorites being:

• Reading Time:  repeating pages of "mini book" report journal pages
•  Picturing the Past:  One of the most beautiful art books I have every seen!  Made even better by little journal prompts.
• Spelling journals:  I have the Spelling Time,150 misspelled words AND the  Fun-Schooling Journal for 5+.  I love the "out of the box" approach to spelling and my kids are all responding so well!
• Film Study Journal: repeating pages of "mini film" review journal pages.  Great if you add in films often.
• How to Draw series.

     I have so many different things here that I can not include a review for all of them in one post!  I see lots of blogging in my future on these!  One thing I am really excited about is that I just order the Dyslexia series to use with my NON DYSLEXIC kids!  I think this will be fun and interesting!  I will be starting that in January!

What I love, What I am seeing in my kids, Things I appreciate:

• The kids really do like them.  Even the older boys (though they play it down).  The kids are happy about the work, like the variety and that they are able to take charge of some of their own learning!  This is "mom not required" stuff!
• I am learning things about my kids!  For instance: 

A10 is always in his journal.  All of a sudden, he loves learning!
He is using the eclectic journal.

1.  My oldest son, I think, has mild dyslexia.  He didn't become mine until 4 years ago so there are things I am still learning about him.  He was still in the public school until last year and things were just missed.  It makes sense though, as he also is a slow processor, and (until homeschooling) has struggled in school.  At 13 1/2 he has more or less "grown out of it" and reads and writes fine BUT I had a lot of questions to ask my hubby when I saw that on his math practice page he drew (3d drawings) 3 numbers backwards.  Apparently he had that problem when he was younger and it was brushed off.  Well hello!  As his mom and teacher, this explains a lot about him! 
2. This same child is MORE COMFORTABLE AND OPEN in his writing when left to consider things on his own and take his time then when feeling pressured by an assignment.
3. My 12 year old son approaches his coloring like a counseling session lol.  If I color with him, he talks about the deepest things in his heart.
   

• Their learning is more varied.  We are using this as a supplement but WHAT A SUPPLEMENT!  I have been super impressed and somewhat shocked by the different things THEY WANTED to learn about.  I am so glad they have this outlet.
• They can't wait to work in them!
• They are taking ownership of their learning.
• My 10 year old son (pictured in above collage) is on fire for learning.  Reading and writing have not been his strong suit and it has been a struggle.  With his journal he feels no pressure and has been applying himself more!

• The balance is just right between academic and fun!
• The kids can explore what they want and try different things out.
• I get to enter in through discussion, coloring with them and spending time looking through their journals.  Just asking questions based on what I see on the page has opened up many great conversations!
• The are excited to see what the other kids are learning about.

  

  Fun Schooling spelling

• Um, hello film reviews.  This might be the highlight of the journal.  Being allowed to watch a short documentary or how-to on one of their subjects!  Plus other kids will watch with the one who is doing the page and then everyone learns!
• They keep getting more creative.  On some of the blank pages or "do anything" or a coloring page with a blank area in the middle, they all kind of just spaced out.  "I don't know what to do" was heard a lot but a month in and these kids are adding onto the drawings, writing poems, drawing pictures of their family, writing themselves notes and encouraging things.  Sometimes even sad things when something in their day is not quite right.  It's allowing them to self reflect!
• It's connecting them to the world.  The world news/geography stuff gets them involved with whats going on around them but doesn't overload them.

Enough about what I think though!  What are THEY SAYING??

• C12b "I like the film study pages because it's interesting to find things related to the books I am reading."
• A10b "I like all the pages.  I do like the math pages because I draw 3D shapes on it.  They are fun because you can learn what you want to learn."
• J8b "I like them because there is lots of coloring and the logic games make me think about things." 
  
• H14g "It's really fun to do.  When I am bored I work in it because it is so fun to do.  I like being able to learn things on my own personal level"
• M13g "I like how creative it is.  My favorite page is the film study because you can pick your topic and watch things and then compare that to what you have read."
• Ch10.11g "I like my journal because I can learn about what I want to learn about."
• D6.11b "I like my journal because it's fun and I can color cool stuff and learn words and read."
• E5b "My journal is my school.  I color and do words and stuff.  Fun stuff."
  
• JO13b "I like them because they are easy and fun.  My favorite page is the film study because I can watch short videos on what I am learning about."
• F16g "I am using a planner and it's helping me to organize my time.  I like the creative parts too because I am so visual that I may not remember what I wrote down until I remember what I colored!"

     We could not be happier with these journals!  Do get some for your kids and let me know what YOU think!

(for more reviews of books individually, click here)

     

BLACK FRIDAY HOMESCHOOL 2015!!!

WHO LOVES DEALS?
...............................................WE DO!!!!

With black friday and cyber Monday coming up, everyone is looking for who is having the sales.  I will update here as I run across thing.

QUEENS is having one of the BEST DEALS I have ever seen them do!



Here is a link to another blog with a TON posted!
CLICK ME

Approaching the holidays while homeschooling.

     It never fails, you finally get into your homeschool groove and then, BAM, the holidays are upon us!!!  What is suppose to be the "merriest time of the year" can quickly turn into the "weeks that nightmares are made of".
     Most of the issues with holiday time is because of time itself.  Mom does not have enough of it!  You need time to school, time to run the house, time to decorate, time to cook, time to shop, time to attend holiday functions, you need more time!  So how do we get more out of our 24 hours?  Strategy!

1. PARE DOWN:  take a look at your school load.  Where can you ease up a bit?  Maybe combine a few history lessons?  Do 2 science applications instead of 4 each week?  Half days?  There are lots of areas where you can pare down IF you are WILLING.  Remember that your "bulk" schooling months are still ahead of you.
2. MAKE LESS MESS:  Use paper plates, prep and use some freezer meals in disposable cookware, cut down on laundry by having more pajamas days.  Need more drastic measures?  Take all extra toys away and leave out only as much as you want to clean up.  Let each kid "pack for the holidays" 4 outfits each and a small tote full of toys.  It's amazing how much time you have when food, laundry and toys are cut down.
3. STREAMLINE YOUR DAY:  set more of a focus on your "best" part of the day.  If you focus on only schooling for that portion of the day and shift the chores you normally do during that time to another part of the day, you can get school done really quick!  Plus you have pare down school and are making less mess then there really should be less "chores" to do anyway.
4. UTILIZE YOUR TEAM:  Do you have some older kids who can help, what about Hubby or Grandparents?  Can anyone else help with some younger kid lessons, what about chores?  If you have made things really easy and a "no brainer" then it makes it easier for others to pitch in!
5. MAKE PLANS FOR FUN!:  everyone likes to have a good time!  Add in those fun things that make the holidays memorable.  Baking cookies, singing songs, homemade crafts, afternoon tea.  A little bit of fun goes a longggggg way!
6. PURPOSE YOUR TIME: Now that you have some time to work with, be purposeful with it.  No one likes a stressed out Mama!  If you plug in the "Holiday To-Do's" in your open time each day, you will be able to stay on top of things.  Make a list, grab a calendar, get it down on paper in a visible place.
7. TRASH THE GUILT: Guilt about school, guilt about presents, guilt about the cookies you didn't make.  GUILT.  Just trash it.  Know that you prolly won't get everything done but that won't kill Christmas.  A down trodden/bad attitude however just might.
8. ENJOY IT: Enjoy this time of the year.  Relish the break in school and embraces the fun business of the Holidays!  TEACH your children, through your right spirit, what the holidays are all about.  Make sure your outlook on the season is correct.  Little eyes and ears are all about, shaping their views by yours.  Teach them to enjoy this time of year by enjoying it yourself!

On the "living it out" side, here are how some homeschool families actually schedule it:

• Take off the month of December and make up that time second semester by doubling up and/or paring some things down.
• work ahead during the fall and take off during the holidays.
• Pare down.  Don't get off track completely but only do what is necessary. 
• School on the days it works and don't worry about the others. 
•  Do some school during the summer and take off the week of Thanksgiving through January first.
• School by doing Unit studies about the Holidays.  Keep going where you left off in Janurary and don't worry about catching up or cut some things out in order to still end on time.
• School year round and just take off when you feel like it.

Personally I usually do one of the first 3 bullets (or a combination thereof).  Traditionally its the "take off and catch up by paring down" method.  Fall time is also canning season so we usually can not work ahead.  I normally take off from Thanksgiving until January as well.  We do A LOT of school Jan-April =)  

Now that I many older, independent learners, I have them do school on days it works.  If I am out running errands or Christmas shopping, they might as well do school =)  The older kids can do everything without me with a few tweaks.  So, I have them keep up on things, I school the younger kids as it works and they do independent things as well and then in January, we hunker down and get'er done!

Hoping your holiday time is a wonderful, blessed time of the year.  Filled with the JOY of The Lord and not burdened by the stresses of this world.

~Minda